The Plan and Outline of the Gospel of John

The Bible Teaching Commentary

Paul J. Bucknell
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Purpose

The Plan and Outline of the Gospel of John uses charts to show the two strategic divisions of the Gospel of John through both the change of audience and the difference of the message.
Study questions are included.
Study questions are provided.

D. The Plan of the Gospel of John

Plan #1: Outline of Gospel of John Based on to whom Christ revealed Himself

When we try to get an overall perspective of the Gospel of John, we find that it divides fairly even down in the middle. The first half (chapters 1-12) is focused on presenting Christ before the world where the second (chapters 13-21) is presenting Christ before His intimate followers.

Gospel of John

Chapters 1-12

3 1/2 years

Gospel of John

Chapters 13-21

1 week

A. Christ's Personal Ministry (1-4)

B. Christ's Public Ministry (5-12)

C. Christ's Private Ministry (13-17)

D. Christ's Passion Ministry(18-21)

Plan #2: Outline of Gospel of John Based on the way Christ revealed Himself to others

The division of the Gospel of John is seen not only in whom Jesus reveals Himself with but in the way He reveals Himself.

The seven signs or miracles that John selected are contained within the first half (see chart below). In these first twelve chapters people get to see Jesus in His glory and hear His proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus did things to or for people.

The last chapters (13-21) were for His disciples. Jesus, however, now was the center part of the work rather than His works. The work would be done upon Him. It included intimate sharing, fellowship, His passion, His dying and His resurrection.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John

General Revelation of Christ

Gospel of John

Chapters 1-12

Specific Revelation of Christ

Gospel of John

Chapters 13-21

Seven Signs (Miracles)

To the Public

Intimate Sharing

To His disciples

#1 Water to Wine (2:1-11)

#2 Nobleman’s Son (4:46-54)

#3 Impotent Man (5:1-47)

#4 Feeding the 5000 (6:1-14)

#5 Walking on Water (6:15-21)

#6 The Blind Man (9:1-41)

#7 Raising Lazarus (11:1-57)

The Anointing

The Passover

The Farewell Discourse

Christ's Prayer in Gethsamane

Jesus' Suffering in trial and on cross

Christ's Resurrection
Christ's

Appearing to Disciples

A Chart of the Seven Signs in the Gospel of John

D. The Plan of the Gospel of John

Revelation of Christ's true nature

Christs glory centers on His death and resurrection.

Regularly experience a changed life.

The closer I am to Christ, the more my life is affected.

Study Questions for the Gospel of John

 Read through the Gospel of John and outline the most significant conversations, teachings or events that occurred in the books four sections.

 Write down an important truth about Christ that John chose to reveal through each of the seven signs (miracles).

Many people deny the uniqueness of Christ. Think through John's life and writings. What might he say to these people?

If Christ doesn't impact our lives, then He is not known to our lives!

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